Loader and stacker.



R. B. FULTON LOADER AND STACKER. AIPLIUATION FILED JULY 17, 1909.

' Patented Nov. 15,1910.

v4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR WITNESSES ATTORNEYS R. B.- FULTON. LOADEE AND STAOKER.APPLICATION rum) JULY 11, 1909.

975,8-9. Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

4 SHBETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS THE NURRIS PETERS ca, WASHINGTON, u c.

R. B. FULTON. LOADER AND STAOKER. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 17, 1909.

Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET s.

,4 TTOR/VEYS 1m: NORRIS PETERS ca, wasmucnm. n, c,

R. B. FULTON. LOADBR AND STAGKER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 17, 1909.

Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

ATTOR/VHS nrc ROBERT BARTON FULTON, 0F RED CLOUD, NEBRASKA.

LOADER AND STAGKER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented N 15, 1910,

Application filed Ju1y'17, 1909. Serial No. 508,154.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT B. FUL'roN, a citizen of the Umted States,and a resident of Red Cloud, in the county of Webster and State ofNebraska, have invented a new and Improved Loader and Stacker, of whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a machine of the loader and stacker order,which by reason of its novel construction is capable of performingetliciently the work of a number of machines heretofore employed fordifierent though allied purposes. Thus my machine serves not only as ahay stacker or loader, but also as a hay sweep. It may also be used toadvantage as a manure or snow shovel; for loading baled hay or car corn,and for many other purposes involving the elevation and transportationof material.

The object of the invention is so to com bine in one mach-inc the scopeand usefulness of a number of machines heretofore usually designedspecially for the various purposes, and yet to attain a degree ofsimplicity with strength that will recommend the machine from everypractical standpoint.

The machine comprises a wheeled base, a forward projecting load holdingdevice, preferably of a load acquiring nature, such as a horizontal rakeor a scoop shovel, which gathers the material as the machine isadvanced, means whereby the load holding device is elevated and meanswhereby it is tilted. The means for elevating the loadholding device,the manner of supporting the same, the construction and arrangement ofvarious of the structural elements of the machine, all as describedhereinafter and more particularly pointed out in the claims, are amongthe features of novelty of the invention.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the ma chine; Fig. 2 is a top planthereof; Fig. 3 is a front View thereof; Fig. 4c is a vertical,longitudinal section on the line 4l in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a plan view ofthe forward part of the machine, showing a shovel substituted for therake shown in Figs. 1, 2 and l; Fig. 6 is a partly sectional plan viewof details of the main frame, substantially on the line a 6-6 in Fig. 7;and Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side view of parts seen opposite the arrow0:, in Fig. (3, showing the relation of a rocker, limbs, and auxiliarymembers that are details of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, A indicates any suitable form of wheeledbase, which may have two forward supporting wheels B and one rear wheelC. This base may be propelled by horses at opposite sides thereof,harnessed to doubletrees (not shown) that may be connected to holdbacksb.

Extendin upward from the forward part of the base i is a guide frame D,preferably comprising two laterally spaced standards E, which may havelongitudinal guide grooves d on their inner faces. The tops of thestandards E may be connected by spaced cross-bars e.

Two forms of load acquiring and holding devicesare shown, namely ahorizontal rake F and a scoop shovel F, both of which implements areopen in front so as to slide beneath material on the ground as themachine advances. For snow clearing purposes the shovel F should be thefull width of the machine. This load-holding device is both raisable andtiltable, and the preferable instrumentalities contributing to thisresult are as follows :G is a vertically slidable frame movable on theframe members E by means of tongues received in the grooves cl. H is arocker pivoted immediately to the frame G, as by means of a rod or shaftJ ournaled in the forward end of this rocker is a rod or shaft 9, towhich is secured the rake F or the shovel F. To the rear end of therocker H is pivoted a link, or links, I, also pivoted to the frame D.Consequently, as the frame G is raised, the link, or links I cause therocker to incline upward and forward, and when the frame G is depressedthe rocker is caused to incline downward and forward. Thus, the range ofvertical movement of the devices F or F, carried by the forward portionof the rocker H, is considerably greater than the extent of movement ofthe frame Gr. Preferably, though not necessarily, the rocker H comprisestwo side bars or levers h, and a link I is pivoted to each of thesebars. In Fig. 2 are indicated slots or openings z in the back bar at ofthe rake F, to permit the levers h to pass therethrough when the partsare elevated. Preferably, the devices F, F are supported pivotally ontheshaft g at the rear of their centers of gravity when loaded, so thatthe tendency of the loaded device will be to tilt forward. To controlthe tilting of the rake F, I provide a cable n, the forward end of whichmay be secured to a bar 1 projecting upward from the rake, and the rearend of which may be secured to the lower end of an operating lever 25located near the operators seat y. The cable 12 may pass over a sheave 2mounted on the upper end of a mast J.

When the rocker H and links I are horizontal as shown in Fig. 7, thereis a tendency for the weight carried by the receptacle F, F to tilt therocker forward and downward, and the links I correspondingly. This wouldlock the parts against further upward movement. To obviate this tendencyI provide auxiliary links I which are in effect braces. The links I arepivoted to the standards E, but in a different horizontal plane from thelinks I. Preferably they are pivoted to the standards above the links I.When the rocker H is horizontal, the auxiliary links or braces I areadapted to cooperate with a part of the rocker, to brace the latteragainst the tilting action referred to. While this may be accomplishedin a variety of ways, I have illustrated a construction in which therear end of the rocker H is provided with one or more hooked or curvedstops H which are adapted to re- I vceive and bear against a rod Iconnecting the rear ends of the braces I. It will be seen that thebraces thus prevent all downward and forward tilting of the rocker H,about the rod f as a fixed pivot.

In Fig. 5, I have indicated a rigid bar n as a substitute for theflexible cable a such connection being desirable with a shovel, inasmuchas it enables the operator to hold the shovel steady as the advance ofthe machine forces it into snow or manure, and also to force the shoveldown into the material.

The raising and lowering of the frame G is effected in the followingmanner: L is a sheave journaled in the top of the frame D, M is ahoisting drum loose on the revoluble shaft or axle N connecting thewheels B. From this drum a cable 0 extends upward over the sheave L,thence downward to the iframe G, to which it is attached. A slidableclutch member P, operated by a lever Q near the operators seat andconnections R, serves to couple and uncouple the drum with respect tothis axle, that is, with respect to a supporting wheel of the wheeledbase A.

A ratchet T is rigid with the drum M and cooperates with a pawl or latchU, which is adapted to be released by an operating lever V, near theoperators seat, and a connection A brake X, desirably a hand brake, isalso associated with the drum, and is adapted to be operated by a handlever Y, 10-

efasie cated by the operators seat, and connection Z. Thus when thedevice F or F has acquired a load by being advanced near the surface ofthe ground, or has had a. load deposited thereon, the clutch P is thrownin and the movement of the machine causes the load holding device to beraised. When at a proper elevation over the wagon or stack, the clutchis thrown out, and the pawl and ratchet prevent the load fromdescending, while the proper position is being secured over the stack orwagon. The lever 25 is then moved to permit or cause the device F or Fto tilt forward discharging its contents. The clutch is then thrown in,the pawl released, and the machine backed, whereupon the device F or Fwill be caused to descend slowly; or the parts described may be allowedto descend slowly by throwing out the clutch, applying the brake X andreleasing the pawl V.

I prefer to support the guide frame D on the wheeled base A pivotally,so that the frame may be lowered to pass under electric wires, etc., andfor convenience in storage. A convenient arrangement is to pivot thestandards E to the axle N. I provide a brace, or braces, 2 for holdingthe frame E in upright position. Preferably each brace consists of twosections 3 and 4, hinged together, as at 5, and hinged, respectively, tothe frame E and the base A, as at 6 and 7. lVhen the frame E is erected,these braces are straightened to the line of centers, or slightly pastthe line of centers, so as to afiord rigid support; and a stop 8 on onesection of each brace may engage with the other section, to prevent thebrace from collapsing inward. I may also employ novel means for raisingand lowering the frame E, as follows: Cables 9 and 10 are woundreversely about the shaftor axle N. The cable 9 extends rearward fromthe shaft, about a sheave 11 mounted near the lower end of the mast J,thence upward along the mast, over a sheave 12 near the upper endthereof, and thence downward to a bar 13 connecting sections 3 of thetwo braces 2. The cable 10 extends directly to the bar 13, to which itis secured. It is of course immaterial to which of the sections 8 or Athe cables are connected.

In operation of these parts, if the shaft N be revolved to wind thecable 9 and to unwind the cable 10 as by backing the machine, the braces2 are flexed upward until equilibrium is destroyed and the frame Dswings backward of its own weight. Then as the frame D descends, thecable 10, being taut, unwinds and permits the frame to lower gradually.To erect the frame again, the 1 shaft N is revolved in the oppositedirection by advancing the machine, when the winding of the cable 10straightens the braces 2, thus forcing the frame D back to erectposition.

Preferably the mast J is pivoted, as at 14:,

to the base A, so as to swing backward out' of the way of the otherparts, when the frame D is lowered. I may provide depending supports 15,pivoted at their upper ends, as at 16, to the standards E and which whenthe frame I) is lowered, rest with their lower ends on the base A; ifdesired, their lower ends may take over pins 17 Having thus described myinvention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A machine of the character described, comprising a wheeled base, anupright guide frame, a frame slidable vertically on said guide frame, arocker pivoted to the slidable frame, a load holding device pivotallycarried by said rocker, means for causing the rocker to move on itspivot when the slidable frame is raised and lowered, means for movingsaid slidable frame vertically, and means 1 for tilting said loadholding device.

2. A machine of the character described, comprising a wheeled base, anupright guide frame, a rocker slidable vertically on said guide frame,means for raising and lowering said rocker, a load acquiring and holdingdevice tiltably mounted at one end of the rocker and projecting forwardfrom said wheeled base, a link connection between the other end of saidrocker and the guide frame, and means for controlling the tilting ofsaid load-holding device.

3. A machine of the character described, comprising a supportingstructure having an upright guide portion, a rocker slidable verticallyon said guide portion, means for raising and lowering said rocker, aload holding device tiltably mounted on said rocker at one side of saidguide portion, and a link member pivoted at one end to the part of saidrocker at the other side of said guide portion and at its other end tosaid guide portion.

4. A machine of the character described, comprising a supportingstructure having an upright guide portion, a frame slidable verticallyin engagement with said guide portion, a rocker pivotally supported bysaid frame, a load holding device tiltably mounted on said rocker at oneside of said guide portion, means for controlling the tilting of saiddevice, and a link member pivoted at one end to the part of said rockerat the other side of said guide portion and at its other end to saidguide portion.

5. A machine of the character described, comprising a wheeled base, anupright guide frame, a frame slidable vertically thereon, a rockerpivoted to said slidable frame, a hoisting drum and a clutch forcoupling and uncoupling saiddrum with respect to a wheel of said wheeledbase, a load holding device supported tiltably from the forward end ofsaid rocker, means for controlling the tilting of said load holdingdevice, and a link connection between the rear end of said rocker andthe guide frame. I

6. Amachine of the character described, comprising a wheeled base, anupright guide frame, a sheave at the top thereof, a. frame slidablevertically on said guide frame, a rocker pivoted to said slidable frame,a hoisting drum, a cable passing from said drum upward over said sheaveand downward to the slidable frame, a clutch for coupling and uncouplingsaid drum with respect to a wheel of said wheeled base, a linkconnection between the rear end of said rocker and the guide frame, aload holding device supported tiltably from the forward end of saidrocker, and means for controlling the tilting of said load holdingdevice.

7. A machine of the character described, comprising a supporting base,an upright guide frame pivotally supported on said base so as to becapable of being lowered thereover, a jointed brace comprising sectionshinged together and .hinged respectively to said guide frame and base, asheave supported above said brace, a shaft, and cables wound in oppositedirections about said shaft, one passing upward to said brace and theother passing over said sheave and thence downward to said brace,whereby one cable winds as the other unwinds and one exerts an upwardpull in winding and the other exerts a downward pull in winding.

8. A machine of the character described, comprising a supporting base,an upright guide frame pivotally supported on said base so as to becapable of being lowered thereover, a frame slidable vertically on saidguide frame, a load holding device tiltably supported from said slidableframe, a jointed brace comprising sections hinged together and hingedrespectively to said guide frame and said base, a mast supportedpivotally by said base to swing in the same direction as said guideframe and carrying sheaves near its upper and lower ends, a revolubleshaft, and cables wound in opposite directions about said shaft, onepassing upward to said brace and the other passing about the lowersheave of said mast, thence along said mast to and over the upper sheaveand thence downward to the other section.

9. A machine of the character described, comprising a wheeled base, anupright guide frame pivotally supported on said wheeled baseso as to becapable of being lowered thereover, a brace for holding said guide frameerect, a depending support pivoted to said guide frame and adapted tosustain said frame when lowered, a frame slidable vertically on saidguide frame, and a load holding device tiltably supported from theslidable frame.

10. A machine of the character described,

&

comprising a wheeled base having an operators seat, an upright guideframe, a frame slidable vertically on said guide frame, a rockerpivotally connected with said slidable frame, a load holding devicesupported tiltably from the forward end of said rocker, a linkconnection between the rear end of said rocker and the guide frame, ahoisting drum having a pawl and ratchet and brake, a clutch for couplingand uncoupling said drum with respect to one of the wheels of saidwheeled base, and operating levers located adjacent said seat andconnected with said tiltable load holding device, said clutch, said pawland said brake.

11. i1 machine of the character described, comprising a supportingstructure having an upright guide portion, a rocker slidable verticallyon said guide portion, means for raising and lowering said rocker, aload holding device mounted on said rocker at one side of said guideportion, a link member pivoted at one end to the part of said rocker atthe other side of said guide por tion, and at its other end to saidguide portion, and a brace member pivoted to said guide portion in ahorizontal plane different from that of said link member, being adaptedto cooperate with said rocker when the latter is horizontal to preventthe same from tilting downward and forward about a fixed axis.

12. A machine of the character described, comprising a supportingstructure having an upright guide portion, a rocker slidable verticallyon said guide portion, means for raising and lowering said rocker, aload holding device mounted on said rocker at one side of said guideportion, a link member pivoted at one end to the part of said rocker atthe other side of said guide portion, and at its other end to said guideportion, a brace member pivoted to said guide portion in a plane abovethat of said link member, and a hooked stop carried by said rocker tobear against the end of said brace when said rocker is horizontal,substantially as described.

13. A machine of the character described, comprising a supportingstructurehaving a guide frame pivotally connected at one end with theforward portion thereof, means for raising and lowering said guideframe, means for holding said guide frame erect, a frame slidablevertically on said guide frame, means for raising and lowering saidslidable frame, a rocker pivoted to said slidable frame, a load-holdingdevice tiltably mounted on the forward end of said rocker, meansconnecting the rear end of said rocker with the guide frame to cause therocker to incline upward and forward when the slidable frame is-raisedand to incline downward and forward when the said slidable frame islowered, and means for controlling the tilting of said load-holdingdevice.

14:. A machine of the character described, comprising a supportingstructure having a guide frame, means for holding said guide frameerect, a frame slidable vertically on the guide frame, means for raisingand lowering the slidable frame, a rocker pivoted to said slidableframe, a load holding device tiltably mounted on the forward end of saidrocker, means for moving the rocker on its pivot when the slidable frameis raised and lowered, and means for tilting said load holding device.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT BARTON FULTON.

WVitnesses:

FRED MAURER, L. A. GRAVES.

